Oxygen Development Headquarters

Oxygen Development’s corporate headquarters comprises almost 220,000 square feet of space and four distinct uses. Client Itasca Construction Associates entrusted Arcadis IBI Group with the design, which features a clean, contemporary look softened by graceful curves as well as highly functional facilities for offices, product research and development, manufacturing and distribution.

The building’s labs are practical workspaces that double as display areas, showcasing the company’s exciting product development in real time for staff and visitors. Manufacturing and distribution facilities are efficiently located within a large, single-story volume.

The headquarters building is located at the edge of a major arterial street in a commercial, suburban area. In responding to mandatory front setback requirements, our design called for the creation of a public plaza. This visible gathering space can host special events as needed. The plaza also naturally ushers visitors into the building entrance, through an outdoor gallery or courtyard space composed of two fluid planes that gradually narrows on approach to the front doors.

The building’s white facade suggests the precision and cleanliness associated with cosmetics production. It also serves as a translucent veil, which randomly reveals the gently contrasting raw concrete substrate beneath, adding subtle visual interest.

The exterior fluidity of the front facade is seamlessly carried through the interior. Streamlined, flowing forms are washed with abundant natural light from the windows as well as the strategically located roof light wells, providing a changing interplay of light and shadow.